§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that on the occasion of a temporary vacancy for an assistant engineer on a dredger at the Admiralty Harbour Works, Dover, a man who had registered at the Labour Bureau was offered the post at a wage of 35s. per week of seven days, the rate paid for similar work on dredger plant in the past having been 39s. per week; whether he is aware that the rate offered in this case is below the union rate, and the man being a trades unionist could not accept it; and whether he will take action with a view to bringing the wages paid at the Harbour Works into harmony with the Fair Wages Clause?
1563W
§ Mr. McKENNAWith regard to the first part of the question the facts are as stated, except that, as the Admiralty scale of pay for assistant engineers on dredgers is 35s. minimum to 42s. maximum per week of seven days, the post was, as is customary, offered at the minimum rate. I am not aware that there is any trades union or standard rate in this district for assistant engineers on dredgers, and the evidence before me does not show that the man in question refused the post for the reason stated. Several assistant engineers now employed at Dover are receiving the minimum rate of 35s. per week, whilst others, with longer service, are getting higher rates up to 42s. Under the circumstances no action in the direction indicated in the last part of the question is considered necessary.